There's something in the air that makes people a little crazy this time of year. It's not helicopter noise, although it's worth noting that Island advocates working to reroute the aircraft are gaining support from our Long Island neighbors even while most choppers are hangared for the season. It's not even the economy,  though that seems to be recovering primarily for the Wall Street operators who triggered the recession in the first place.

It's politics. The privileges of living in a democratic society are all well and good, but some of us are reaching election overload, exceeding our campaign capacity, teetering on the brink of partisan pervasiveness, even with 12 days to go before the vote.

Fortunately we live in a place that has wonderful head-clearing properties if we remember to use them. While the candidates call to “preserve the essence of Shelter Island,” “keep Shelter Island on track” and “save what's left,” take a few minutes to experience why so many residents are passionate enough about this place to run this grueling political gauntlet.

• Get to the water. Skirt the nor'easters as best you can and take the opportunity to paddle, sail or motor out at least one more time before winter sets in. Walking on the beach with only the waves keeping time is bliss. Take in our green shoreline as it blushes to the season's bluster.

• Catch a Shelter Island School girls volleyball game. These 10 young women have pulled together one mighty team. We've had individual stars in the past on both the volleyball and basketball courts but we can't remember a squad with the versatility and spirit this one exhibits. The volleyball program has long been successful but its undefeated performance this year is taking it to new heights. The girls' last home games in the regular schedule are October 26 at 4:30 p.m. and October 29 at 4 p.m. in the school gym. We expect to see the season go on well into the playoffs. Go SI!

• Take in the water's bounty. We are still enjoying fishing without a license while the courts consider East End rights to regulate local waters, and the anti-license momentum is building. But whether you catch your own or not, this is a wonderful time to enjoy scallops, striped bass and bluefish.

• Put stump speeches aside for voting victuals. The need to feed second homeowners returning to vote after their own kitchens are closed for the winter is no more. But thankfully the tradition of serving  the Election Eve Ham Dinner at St. Mary's Episcopal Church and the Election Day chowder luncheon at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church lives on.

These election events will herald the end of our political purgatory. We can't wait.